VISITORS flocked back to Shoebury’s East Beach eight weeks after it was closed when unexploded shells were found.

Southend Council and the Ministry of Defence dealt with one last shell on Friday afternoon before they could finally reopen the beach.

They hope regular surveys will limit the chance of cosures in the future.

The council has hired private firmBactec, based at Stock Road Industrial Estate, Southend, to conduct the checks.

Graham Longley, deputy council leader, said: “A visual scan is one of the measures being put in place.”

Traders welcomed the re-opening. Anji and Harish Panchal run Station News apposite Shoebury train station. Anji said: “It was terrible, whern it was closed.

We were closing sometimes at 2pm it was so quiet. Now the beach has re-opened all weekend we were busy and open until 5pm as usual.”

Visitor Tony Morrow, 52, from Westcliff, said: “It is good to have the beach back.

It was a long time to close it for just three things, and they only got the last one when they were re-opening it.”